Design and Manufacture of Testing Equipment for Switchgear By Terry Cousins and Luis Valentim, TLC Engineering Solutions Abstract Switchgear is a key component in electrical power systems. It is essential to verify performance after design, manufacture or repair. This paper will discuss a range of automated testing equipment that are used to test switchgear. The test equipment has been designed and manufactured in South Africa in collaboration with switchgear manufacturers and testing authorities. Automated analysis of the measurements as well as archiving of results for future recall and comparison will be presented. Introduction The definition of switchgear includes electrical disconnects, fuses and circuit breakers used to isolate electrical equipment. Circuit breakers are mechanical devices connected to the electrical system, where they must provide a suitable path for the flow of the electric current as well as provide protection and control of the electric circuit by either initiating or stopping the current flow. Circuit breakers design and performance verification requires specific tests to be performed. This paper will present a range of testing systems for circuit breakers from the instrumentation and data acquisition perspective. Circuit Breaker Testing Circuit breakers are designed and manufactured to operate correctly under a range of conditions. These include switching currents up to the rated load, as well as interrupting overload or fault currents several times the rated current. In the event of a malfunction, the circuit breaker as well as parts of the electric system may sustain severe damage. It is therefore essential to have a high degree of confidence in the performance of any circuit breakers. This confidence level can only be attained by years of operating experience, or by extensive testing under conditions that simulate those that are encountered in the field applications. Testing will usually be performed to ensure compliance with a local or international standard. Special tests may also be performed by manufacturers to evaluate new designs. The tests that are common to most circuit breakers include: Mechanical Operation o Performance of the mechanism to open and close contacts o Endurance of the mechanism Electrical Operation o Ability to operate safely with rated loads o Ability to safely isolate overloads and short circuits Mechanical Testing
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Design and Manufacture of Testing Equipment for Switchgear
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Design and Manufacture of Testing Equipment for Switchgear
By Terry Cousins and Luis Valentim, TLC Engineering Solutions
Abstract
Switchgear is a key component in electrical power systems. It is essential to verify performance after design,
manufacture or repair. This paper will discuss a range of automated testing equipment that are used to test
switchgear. The test equipment has been designed and manufactured in South Africa in collaboration with
switchgear manufacturers and testing authorities. Automated analysis of the measurements as well as archiving of
results for future recall and comparison will be presented.
Introduction
The definition of switchgear includes electrical disconnects, fuses and circuit breakers used to isolate electrical
equipment. Circuit breakers are mechanical devices connected to the electrical system, where they must provide a
suitable path for the flow of the electric current as well as provide protection and control of the electric circuit by
either initiating or stopping the current flow. Circuit breakers design and performance verification requires specific
tests to be performed. This paper will present a range of testing systems for circuit breakers from the instrumentation
and data acquisition perspective.
Circuit Breaker Testing
Circuit breakers are designed and manufactured to operate correctly under a range of conditions. These include
switching currents up to the rated load, as well as interrupting overload or fault currents several times the rated
current. In the event of a malfunction, the circuit breaker as well as parts of the electric system may sustain severe
damage. It is therefore essential to have a high degree of confidence in the performance of any circuit breakers. This
confidence level can only be attained by years of operating experience, or by extensive testing under conditions that
simulate those that are encountered in the field applications.
Testing will usually be performed to ensure compliance with a local or international standard. Special tests may also
be performed by manufacturers to evaluate new designs. The tests that are common to most circuit breakers include:
Mechanical Operation
o Performance of the mechanism to open and close contacts
o Endurance of the mechanism
Electrical Operation
o Ability to operate safely with rated loads
o Ability to safely isolate overloads and short circuits